Wondering who Gerardo Martino really is? Here's a guide on exactly what Barcelona can expect from their new Argentinian boss

He has just inherited the biggest football club on the planet, but who exactly is Gerardo Martino?

Er, who?

Come on....don’t you know your Argentine football? Former midfield maestro, manager and general club legend at Newell’s Old Boys from Rosario.

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Silly me. Who?

He’s
a 50-year-old Argentine, capped once by his country, during a playing
career that was pretty good without being spectacular. He’s managed club
sides in several countries in South America and also tasted success
with Paraguay. Having said that, Barca will be his 10th club in 15
years.

In charge: Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, the former Newell's Old Boys manager, has taken over at Barcelona

Why him?

Well, Barca needed someone as former coach Tito Vilanova has vacated his post due to an on-going battle with cancer.

But there were other candidates...

There surely were. But Martino ticks several boxes.

Pedigree: He was Paraguay manager between 2006 and 2011, leading them to the World Cup quarters

Really? Like what?

Well,
Lionel Messi wanted him for a start. 'I think Martino is a great
coach,' said the world’s best, 'he gets his teams playing well.' Carles
Puyol added: 'He’s a very good coach. He likes Barcelona’s playing
style.'

That is a good start. Anything else?

He
is a disciple of the beautiful game. 'I identify with the style of
football Barcelona play,' he said, 'I’m an admirer of Guardiola’s work.
It’s the style I like most. The respect of the ball, they play from the
back...the possession, the triangulation...the pass is the main premise
of football.'

Does he have a reputation for this in south America, then?

Yes. And no.

Go on...

Well,
he once said that ‘aesthetics are despised’ in Argentine football which
gives a clue as to his true philosophy. But then he produced an
uber-pragmatic Paraguay side that based its success on an ability not to
concede goals. Which, in itself, is very healthy. Unfortunately, they
didn’t score many either.

What are his credentials?

Well, he won four titles with four different teams in Paraguay. And he was voted south American coach of the year in 2007.

Pointing the way: Martino will need to improve Barcelona's Champions League form

What is he walking into?

Barcelona
won La Liga comfortably. But they fell well short against Bayern Munich
in the Champions League semi-final. The addition of Brazilian ace
Neymar will add to the general conception that this current crop follows
the footballing philosophy which is at the very core of Catalan
football.

What do his supporters say?

This
will be a good fit. And with his organisational skills, it could be
that Barcelona are no longer a soft touch in the Champions League as
well. Carlo Ancelotti over at Madrid has got a scrap on his hands.

What will his detractors say?

Gerardo
who? He’s never managed outside South America. Apart from Messi, he has
little experience of Spanish footballers or the league. But then
Vilanova was also largely unknown and, all things considered, he didn’t
do too bad a job.

Ding-dong: Martino arguing and scuffling with an Argentinian ref

VIDEO New Barca boss Gerardo Martino scuffles with a referee

In favour: Carles Puyol and Lionel Messi have both spoken in support of the appointment